Paraprofessionals

SF Community School paraprofessional Mary Lavalais takes a stand for para jobs at a rally in April of 2009.

Please Read this Important Information on the Final Transition from the PARS Retirement System.

Paraprofessional Help Desk 12/13 School Year

UESF Vice-President for Paraprofessionals Carolyn Samoa is available throughout the week to help answer questions for paras. Her schedule is as follows:

Mondays – 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 2:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays – 2:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursdays – 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Fridays – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Carolyn is also available by at csamoa [at] uesf [dot] org.

Paraprofessional Division Meetings

For the latest updates on issues affecting paraprofessionals, consider attending the monthly UESF Paraprofessional Division Meeting.

4th Wednesday of each month*
Ida B. Wells HS (1099 Hayes St.)
4:00-6:00 p.m.

* Meeting location and date subject to change. See the UESF calendar for the latest info.

Important Links:

Final Transition from the PARS Retirement System

Para FAQs- A quick guide for new (and experienced) paras on how to best navigate SFUSD and to understand your union rights.

Public Agency Retirement System (PARS)- For information about the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS), the pension system for paraprofessionals in the SFUSD, call 1-800-540-6369 or go to www.parsinfo.org.

San Francisco Teacher Residency Program – The San Francisco Teacher Residency (SFTR) recruits and prepares teachers who are able to improve equity and achievement for historically underserved students in San Francisco’s highest-needs schools in the subject areas of math, science and bilingual Spanish. A great career path for current SFUSD paraprofessionals.

City College Teacher Prep Center – Paras and future teachers should take advantage of the many services of the Teacher Prep Center, which include career counseling, child development permit advising, transfer pathways, course selection, and information on financial assistance. Call Kathleen White at 415.239.3890 for more information. Also, don’t forget to check out the SFUSD Para to Teacher Program.

 Para News

SFUSD Commits to Release PARS funds for Paras Who Retire This School Year on July 6th

IRS has yet to rule on releasing funds for other active paras The SFUSD Director of Labor Relations has informed UESF that the district will authorize PARS to process distributions of PARS retirement accounts on July 6, 2012 for paras who submitted their retirement between October 12, 2011 and June 30, 2012. According to the district, if an employee who has submitted their retirement calls PARS during the month of June, he/she will continue to be told that the funds are frozen. PARS Accounts for Paras who are still active in the district, and those who have been terminated or … Continue reading →

Paras Set to Move Into Social Security on October 12th, 2011

Reprinted from the August 2011 SF Educator After months of delay, the SFUSD will finally transition paras out of the PARS retirement system and into Social Security, starting with the pay period beginning October 12, 2011. Last year paraprofessionals voted overwhelmingly to enter Social Security, a far superior retirement option to PARS. According to the agreement with the SFUSD that was approved in the para vote, all assets already earned by paras in the PARS system will be transferred into an account that will be under the control of the individual para, not the district. Those funds can be invested … Continue reading →

Speaking up for Paras

Watch this powerful video featuring paraprofessional Teanna Tillery, as she explains the great work that she does every day in San Francisco Schools. Dozens of paras, including Teanna, are still without a job in SFUSD. We are in danger of losing these valuable employees, and the important work they do to keep our most at-risk students in school.